Well, it's that time of year again, and I am required to head North, to Blair Atholl for a wee competition shoot.
Not really a target shooter, but having bought a decent rifle, it seemed a shame not to 'stretch' it, and see what it can do: and so I periodically, have a go at lobbing lead, at small targets a very long way away.
The days of doing these trips in one hit, are much like this year's Easter Egg.
Long gone.
Consequently, I tend to stop over in Cumbria - a beautiful part of the world.
So a gentle two days driving, and I find myself back on one of the most scenic (if unforgiving) ranges in the UK.
More than once, we are 'buzzed' by pairs of these, screaming up the Glen...
I smile inwardly, as I recognise that I will have T-shirts older than the pilots.
Three days of shooting and I fired off just over 100 rounds of .308 (108 for anybody with OCD).
As always, shooting long range is a rollercoaster and the wind at Blair Atholl will crush a man's ego in a heartbeat.
Fortunately, I do not have an ego - which is just as well really.
At the local Camp site (speaking of which I passed the Appleby Horse Fair, on the way home - if you have not seen it, that is Biblical), one of the parking areas was conned off. Here's why...
Just for sh**ts and giggles, I totted up what this wee trip cost me. Just accommodation and fuel, I reckon it costs about £8.50 per shot.
If I had known that, then perhaps I would have tried harder to hit the bloody target.
Still, nothing nicer than 'taking stock' in the B&B pub on the way back.
It's not just the shooting, it's not just the stalking, (or golf or fly fishing), it's where it takes you.
It's only money, and as someone else once said...
Not really a target shooter, but having bought a decent rifle, it seemed a shame not to 'stretch' it, and see what it can do: and so I periodically, have a go at lobbing lead, at small targets a very long way away.
The days of doing these trips in one hit, are much like this year's Easter Egg.
Long gone.
Consequently, I tend to stop over in Cumbria - a beautiful part of the world.
So a gentle two days driving, and I find myself back on one of the most scenic (if unforgiving) ranges in the UK.
More than once, we are 'buzzed' by pairs of these, screaming up the Glen...
I smile inwardly, as I recognise that I will have T-shirts older than the pilots.
Three days of shooting and I fired off just over 100 rounds of .308 (108 for anybody with OCD).
As always, shooting long range is a rollercoaster and the wind at Blair Atholl will crush a man's ego in a heartbeat.
Fortunately, I do not have an ego - which is just as well really.
At the local Camp site (speaking of which I passed the Appleby Horse Fair, on the way home - if you have not seen it, that is Biblical), one of the parking areas was conned off. Here's why...
Just for sh**ts and giggles, I totted up what this wee trip cost me. Just accommodation and fuel, I reckon it costs about £8.50 per shot.
If I had known that, then perhaps I would have tried harder to hit the bloody target.
Still, nothing nicer than 'taking stock' in the B&B pub on the way back.
It's not just the shooting, it's not just the stalking, (or golf or fly fishing), it's where it takes you.
It's only money, and as someone else once said...
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